There are so many thing I want to talk about today! Sometimes I think I should start a podcast because I just want to share and chat about so many things. I love listening to podcasts when I fall asleep or need a little inspiration.
My favorite sleepy time podcast is Freakonomics by the same guys who wrote the best-selling book series. I also LOVE the podcast by Jillian Michaels. She is so inspirational regardless if you are cool with her training and nutrition methods. I also am a fan of the How Stuff Works podcasts like Things You Missed In History Class. I’m a total nerd but they really help me fall asleep. It’s like having someone tell you a story right before bed. Anyway here are a few things I wanted to share with everyone:
1. The DASH Diet is named the best diet by US World News. [Article]
First, the diets I follow, the Eat Clean and TIU system, were not a part of the study. The Paleo diet ranked last at number 25. It did not even beat the Dukan diet! Weight Watchers ranked as the number one commercial weight loss diet. I’m not opposed to Weight Watchers but I will be very upfront in that one summer between freshmen and sophomore year of college, I got a little neurotic with my points. Food no longer had value or enjoyment. Everything had a number on it and I as always aware of it. I regularly under ate so that I could fit in my beer points and then beat myself up about going over. I no longer count calories but instead try to eat real, clean foods. Weight Watchers clearly works for people, but was not a healthy option for me. Next for weight loss was The Biggest Loser diet (Go NBC!), Jenny Craig followed by a surprising raw food diet.
As far a the DASH diet goes, it was created to prevent and lower high blood pressure. It encourages eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy products. You can actually print the program now for free here. It’s a 26 page guide. It limits salt intake and overall promotes a healthy diet. To be honest, I’m curious why it’s included in this study. I’ve never heard of anyone being on the DASH diet. It seems like just making smart choices.
Number two and three were the TLC diet and Mayo Clinic diet respectively. The diets ranked obviously are not “weight loss” diets but patterns of how we should be eating regularly. Weight loss or weight maintenance, it’s a lifestyle that promotes good health. Weight loss diets often restrict food groups which typically don’t work in overall daily situations.
2. Christina Aguilera says, “I’ve been no stranger to being very comfortable in my own skin… I love my body.”
I’m talking about Christina’s weight because she made a public statement about it at a press conference on Friday. She told reporters that the “massive scrutiny” over her weight does not bother her. Whatever this lady is taking, I want some.
She just went through a divorce and now she is rocking more curves than normal. “I’ve been on all spectrums,” she said. “I’ve been in this [business] for a long time. I came out on the scene when I was 17 years old. You can never be too much of anything. You can never be too perfect, too thin, too curvy, voluptuous, this, that. I’ve been on all sides of the spectrum as far as any female in this business.” [Read More]
She was in fact crazy thin when she first became famous. She was a naturally lean teenager. She flaunted her body in music videos like Dirrrty and Lady Marmalade. I always talk about this subject so I’m sorry if I’m beating a topic to death, but it frustrates me that the public needs to talk about the change in a persons appearance.
I do not comment on celeb weight gain unless they make it an event. A public statement means she is acknowledging it and putting herself in the news. However, before she did this, it was Kelly Osbourne who was publicly calling Christina “fat” and making this a public issue. Another female!? Another weight loss female to boot.
I’m going to risk saying something harsh and honest, but I pretty much hate Kelly O. Her immaturity regarding Aguilera is pretty reckless and hurts more people than just Aguilera. She should know personally how much these types of comments hurt, regardless of what happened between the two of them. I do not recall Aguilera publicly humiliating Osbourne, ever.
Her next single is actually titled, “I Love My Body.” I’m happy that she loves her body, because that is really all that matters. Given Christina’s choice in clothing, I do believe she loves her body. People who are insecure tend to hide their new curves, she loves tight form-fitting dresses.
Do you believe Aguilera’s statements like me? Are you surprised by the diet article above?
Nice post, Sarah. After watching Jennifer Hudson’s interview last night it is all too apparent how fickle the public can be- she’s too heavy and Demi Moore is too thin. It’s a darn shame we spend all this time and energy discussing strangers’ weight! I am so thankful I only have sons and don’t have to navigate these issues with a daughter!
As far as the diets, I too am a nerd on reading all this and was also surprised with the ranking.
Enjoy your week!
I’m very surprised that Kelly O. made that comment! She used to be overweight and had a great transformation when she lost the weight. I’ve got to be honest, as someone who knows, losing weight I think makes you more observant of weight gain and loss. I’ve lost a lot of weight over the past couple of years and I always notice if someone puts on a few pounds.
That said, I would NEVER say anything negative about it! That’s awful! I know how it feels to be judged for my weight, and it would be awful if someone did that to me, so why would I do that to someone else? Besides, I don’t think Xtina looks bad at all. It’s clear she’s gained some weight, but if she’s happy, healthy and confident — who cares? I do notice when people gain weight, but it almost never is a big deal. A few pounds looks a lot worse in the mirror than through someone else’s eyes.
I read that article about the DASH diet and was just as surprised as you were with the findings. I had never heard of it and it seemed like a pretty non-sensicle approach to eating (i.e: eat real food not junk). Regarding the Christina Aguilera comments: It saddens me that this is what our country focuses on. I know when I was struggling with my weight as a child and saw these celebrities being scrutinized about their bodies it made me feel worse about my own. There are so many bigger things to make news, and this is certainly not one of them. And to top it off, why is Kelly Osbourne calling Christina fat? For years she was the one struggling with her weight, and only recently got fit and healthy. In my opinion, she has no right to be pointing any fingers (especially because Christina is not fat!).
I’m not the biggest Christina or Kelly fan, but I thought it was sad Kelly stooped so low. I heard through the gossip rags that she justified her mean words by stating that Christina called her fat before, and this was her way of payback. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I think she should have been quiet. Knowing the fickleness of Hollywood, she should know someone would have eventually said it about Christina.
I think Christina really handled the bad press well. At the end of the day you have to make yourself happy. I think the public needs to be more concerned with health. I’m interested in celebs who live a healthy lifestyle, and you can’t really judge someone’s health based on solely based on appearance.
I guess I believe her statements. I’m sure she could hire a trainer, nutritionist, etc if she wanted, so I guess she’s happy. I too need whatever she’s taking!
DASH stands for dietary approach to stop hypertension; it’s actually a high potassium diet not a low sodium diet. You’ve probably never heard of it because it is used regularly by physicians and registered dietitians for people who have hypertension and other heart problems caused by high blood pressure. It’s not exactly a “popular diet”, it’s a diet to treat disease. And while it may seem like common sense, for the majority of americans it is not.
so..yes wouldn´t we all love to be able to say “oh what, i don´t care…” bla! sure we care! and yes, even christina does! and i don´t believe, she is telling the truth. she is telling her future customers and buyers what she thinks is necessary to improve on her image. why do i think that? because she was the one that hated on other girls (like that osburne chick) back when she was skinny and the other rather not…
so, let´s think after childbirth, a divorce and after leaving the innocent early 20´s behind, it is hard to lose the weight, so why not take the easy road: pretend you don´t care.
and don´t get me wrong: she is an extrodanary singer, i love her voice. i think she makes an excellant performer. but please, let´s keep it real!
Hi Sarah, just wanted you to know that I really enjoyed this post. I totally agree with you on the Christina Aguilera issue…. Kelly O had no place to say anything and I love that Christina is owning her body/her curves! It is so refreshing!
I also agree with you about Weight Watchers. I went on it when I was in high school and became crazy obsessive with the point system. I think it is a great system and can work for a lot of people but wasnt for me. Im glad to know that Im not the only one that had issues with it.